Body found believed to be missing hunter

Posted: Tuesday, May 09, 2000

ANCHORAGE (AP) -- The body of a Hoonah man, missing since last December, was found Saturday, Alaska State Troopers said.

Robert Williams, 21, was hunting at Whitestone Harbor, a short distance from Hoonah, Dec. 15 when he became separated from his four hunting partners. Alaska State Troopers, the National Guard and volunteers searched for him for more than a week, but found no sign of him.

Williams had no survival gear. Several inches of snow fell in the search area in the days after he disappeared and temperatures had dipped into the 20s.

Members of the original hunting party were out Saturday searching for Williams when they found the remains at about 7 p.m. about three miles from the harbor. A wallet containing his identification was found in a fanny pack nearby.

Troopers said it is not yet known how Williams died. His remains were being sent to the state Medical Examiner's office in Anchorage for an autopsy and positive identification.